Down to its final three outs Monday, the newly-No. 4 Arlington High baseball team was in danger of losing its first game within the Omaha World-Herald Class C rankings.
Coach Justin Meyer's Eagles (4-2 overall) didn't shy away from the moment at the Washington County Fairgrounds, though. They scored four runs during the bottom of the seventh inning against GACC-WPB, earning a 4-3 victory with junior Luke Sharp providing the game-winning heroics. The second baseman belted the two-run, walk-off winner into the outfield grass, setting off a celebration complete with a dogpile on the infield dirt.
“Got a pitch I liked and drove it to where nobody was at,” he said after dusting himself off.
With Tim Halley and Peyton Marfisi on base, Sharp worked his way to a full count against the West Point team's pitcher.
“Everyone was so loud. That's all I really could think about,” the batter said. “I was like, 'Dang. Big moment. I've got to find a way to get on.'”
He did, but didn't have to stay on the basepath long as his double swing served as the last of the game at the fairgrounds. The Eagles had trailed 3-0 through 6.5 innings, but won after Henry Lancaster started off the inning by taking a pitch to the body.
“It got energy to the bench,” Sharp said. “I don't know, we like seeing people get hit by pitches. Shows toughness.”
Freshman Jack Morgan later reached base on a one-out error before Wes Monke plated Arlington's first run of the game with a single to centerfield. Still trailing 3-1, Halley hit into a fielder's choice for the home squad's second run.
Next, Marfisi — a freshman shortstop — singled, setting up Sharp. The junior believed the Eagles' energy was key to the comeback. He helped supplied it after starting the inning with six teammates ahead of the him in the batting order.
“I was just thinking, 'Next man up,'” Sharp said. “I just had to keep focusing on the guys in front of me getting on base and getting loud for them, too.”
It was because of their work he was able to deliver in the end.
“I wouldn't have had the opportunity that I did if they hadn't done what they did before me,” Sharp said. “Big at-bats all-around.”
Eagles drop 9-inning game
The next day, Tuesday, AHS' four-game winning streak ended.
Ahead 7-4 at one point, the Eagles lost a nine-inning game in Pender to Thurston-Cuming County, 10-9. The home squad had tied the game with three seventh-inning runs and won it with three more after Coach Meyer's squad tallied two runs during the top of the ninth frame.
Tanner Kyllo led Arlington in defeat, going 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs. Sharp and Marfisi plated runs, too, but Eagle errors added up in the end.
AHS was to play at Fort Calhoun on Thursday and next competes 4:30 p.m. Monday at Plattsmouth.
AHS BASEBALL LINE SCORES
Tuesday
Thurston-Cuming County 10, No. 4 Arlington 9, 9 inn.
AHS (4-2) 2 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 2 — 9 5 10
TCC (3-1) 2 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 3 — 10 9 2
Monday
No. 4 Arlington 4, GACC-WPB 3
WP (2-5) 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 — 3 4 1
AHS (4-1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 — 4 4 2
